New Year’s Resolution Ideas To Protect the Planet

New Year’s resolutions come and go but some may have a lasting impact on our environment, health, comfort and budget. OCPA customers already have a big head start by selecting to power the electrical grid with renewable energy each month. There are other simple ways for all of us to do our part to make a difference. Here are some of our favorite sustainable New Year’s resolution ideas:

USE REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES

Did you know that men on average should drink 15.5 cups of water per day and women on average 11.5 cups? This amounts to A LOT of plastic used as well if that water comes in the form of single-use disposable bottles. Instead, drink from the tap and get in the habit of carrying glass or metal water bottles while at home or on the go. Since 99% of plastic is derived from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, decreasing plastic use in this way is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.

CONSERVE ENERGY DURING PEAK HOURS (4-9 p.m.)

Timing your air conditioner, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and other large appliances to run during off-peak power hours is not only good for maintaining the stability of the power grid but also your budget. Using power during the prime 4-9 p.m. hours is more expensive and will simply cost you more on your electric bills.

ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT – OR GET A SMART ONE

Adjust your thermostat when you leave the house and/or get a Smart Thermostat can help you save big bucks as well. ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats can save an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. The OCPA Marketplace has a large variety of products, including deals on a variety of smart thermostats.

CUT BACK ON PAPER TOWELS

Paper towels contribute to deforestation, global warming and an ever-increasing waste problem. Instead, try alternatives such as cotton and microfiber kitchen cloths and napkins, and sponges.

RIDE A BIKE

Gas-powered transportation makes up more than a third of heat-trapping carbon emissions in Orange County. You can help the planet – and get in some great exercise and natural beauty – by hopping on a bike to get around. From the beach to the canyons, did you know Orange County has more than 1,000 miles of bikeways and scenic trails? And that includes longer commuting. Metrolink Bicycle Cars have special stalls to hold your bike and all OCTA buses are equipped with bicycle racks.

REPLACE YOUR INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS WITH LEDS

Replace your light bulbs with LEDs and use smart devices so lights go off on their own when you are not using a room or other space. New federal rules will make the old incandescent bulbs virtually obsolete. And for good reason. The Department of Energy estimates that LED bulbs will save U.S. consumers almost $3 billion on their utility bills and cut global warming emissions by 222 million metric tons over the next three decades.

UNPLUG “PHANTOM” POWER

“Phantom” power is used by electronics and appliances when they are “turned off” but still plugged in. These devices use standby power, which accounts for up to 10% of residential energy use and could cost the average U.S. household as much as $100 per year. Instead, unplug devices, invest in power strips with on/off switches and use ENERGY STAR products, many of which are not only efficient but also have lower standby power.

BUY ENERGY STAR

Speaking of which, look for ENERGY STAR products especially when it is time to replace your appliances. ENERGY STAR is one of the most successful voluntary programs in U.S. history, having prevented 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions since it started in 1992. In 2020 alone, energy savings avoided air pollution responsible for up to $17 billion in public health benefits.

SIGN UP FOR OhmConnect

Last but not least, sign up for OhmConnect, a free service that sends alerts when energy is the most expensive. If you save electricity, OhmConnect rewards you with gift cards or even cash via PayPal. That’s in addition to saving on your power bill.

Raise your (reusable) glass to a more sustainable 2024!

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.